The golden sun shone brightly against the pavement of the courtyard. After all the Smashers had left the last practice, Master Hand locked the black metal gate.

"Well done, Smashers. This has been a productive year."

The Smashers were more than happy. Today was the last day before summer vacation. No more battles, no more practice, no more training. That meant leisure time for everyone.

Ike waited for Zelda, his close friend. The two were not a couple, yet close friends. Cerulean eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the princess. Once he saw her, he went up to her.

"Hey there, Zelda."

"Hi Ike!" she smiled, looking up at the sky. "I'm so happy summer is finally here. I waited so long for today."

"Me too." In reality, Ike paid no attention to what she was saying, as he was mesmerized by her beauty. For as long as he could remember he loved her. He loved the way she spoke. He loved her bright smile that raised her flushed cheeks.

"So, um, Ike..." she said, snapping him out of his trance.

"Yes?"

"What are you doing this summer?"

"Oh, nothing much. You?"

She giggled. "Same. Well, I have to be going. Peach and Sheik are waiting for me at the pool."

With that, she left for the tall gates surrounding the aqua-colored water. Ike didn't realize that Popo and Nana were hiding in the bushes.

"They'd look so nice together!" Nana whispered.

"Definitely. Maybe we should hook them up for the summer!"

"Are you kidding me!?" she said, looking at Popo then staring back at Ike, who looked a bit lonely. "I guess they'd look cute together..."

"Well, let's give it a shot." Popo got up.

"Popo, what are you doing?"

"Hey Ike!" he called to the mercenary.

"Hey Popo." Ike said back. "How are you?"

"Only great. And you?"

"Oh, I'm okay." he said, hesitantly and longingly staring at the pool. Nana just stayed quiet behind the bush. She didn't want to get involved with anything.

"Where's Nana?" Ike asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"She's, um, in her room. Getting ready to go to the pool."

"Oh, Zelda's going there."

After small talk unrelated to Popo and Nana's task, Ike left for his own room. Popo went behind the bush with Nana.

"Okay, now you need to go to the pool. Tell you what; you talk to Zelda and I'll talk to Ike. Deal?"

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Oh come on, what could go wrong?"

Of course, Popo didn't know he had used the accursed phrase of bad luck...